What Is Paddle Boarding? - Outdoor Gear World!

More and more people all over the world are getting into standup paddleboarding. It may be hard to understand why when you have no idea what the sport is all about.

But if you are interested, here is everything you need to know.

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Table of Contents

What is Standup Paddleboarding?

Standup paddleboarding is a water activity that involves a board and a paddle. It is also known as standup paddling, SUP or standup paddle surfing. Participants paddle while standing upright on the paddleboard—hence the name.

Like many other water board sports, SUP is believed to have originated in Hawaii. At first, it was a variation of surfing. But it has grown to become a well-known sport. Now, there are different types of standup paddling.
These types of SUP guide paddlers when choosing a paddleboard.
So take a look.

Types of Standup Paddleboarding

1. SUP Yoga

Yoga is a way for you to practice mindfulness, become more flexible and improve your mental health, among other benefits.

To get even more out of this exercise, some people do the poses on yoga paddle boards in the water. While it can be challenging, the results are worth it.

2. Leisure SUP

This is the one that most beginners and families love. As the name suggests, it involves paddling casually. All you need is a paddleboard and body water.

People do it to get fresh air, exercise and just enjoy the sun. With the huge multi-person SUP boards, families or friends can cruise together.

3. SUP Racing

If you like to take the excitement to the next level, racing would be right for you. You can easily find a SUP racing event in your local area. You don’t have to win the first time. Having fun is what matters. SUP racing paddle boards are typically long (12’6 or 14’) and narrow. For beginners, controlling them might be a little hard.

4. SUP Touring

This type of SUP is for those that love exploring and a good challenge. You will need a touring board, which is long and narrow for speed. You have to paddle over long distances in a limited amount of time.

5. SUP Fishing

Catching waves using a standup paddleboard is amazing. Having a paddle also enhances the experience. Surf SUPs are short and narrow at the bow and tail. The dimensions make them less stable than most of the other SUP board types—but they are perfect for surfing.

Benefits of Standup Paddle Boarding

Why do people stand up paddle? Though seemingly simple, paddleboarding requires a lot of effort. Paddlers may not even notice how hard their muscles are working. These are the results.

a. Better Balance

You see people standing so effortlessly on the SUP, but you have no idea what it took for them to be able to do that.

It takes practice for a complete beginner to stand straight on a board without falling. Your leg muscles get stronger in the process and so does your core.

This makes SUP an ideal exercise for everyone, especially people with balance or bone problems. It helps them regain their strength and balance gradually and gently.

b. Less Stress

You may not believe this, but stress is a good thing. The problem comes about when its level is too high. It hinders clear thinking and puts you in a bad place mentally.

Being outside in nature, and in this case in the water, has a positive effect on your mind. Standup paddleboarding is also classified as an aerobic exercise. As you SUP, serotonin and endorphins levels in your body go up. These hormones make you happier.

c. Fit Physique

Standup paddling puts almost every muscle to work. The arms, shoulders, back, core, thigh and leg muscles work extremely hard. It is one of the best forms of exercise because even the less used muscles become active.

When you look at most paddlers, you’ll notice that they have a lean and toned body. You can be fit too if you become a habitual paddler.

d. Healthy Heart

The risk of getting lifestyle diseases increases as you age, especially if you are not active.

SUP is a great way to raise your heart rate and keep your body physically active. It significantly reduces your chances of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

How to Get Started

After seeing people enjoy themselves on SUP boards and the benefits, you must be dying to start. You’ll be relieved to know that it is quite easy and not as expensive.

What You Need

Paddleboard: while there are some crazy expensive boards out there, you can start with an affordable one. SUPs are classified into two major categories, solid and inflatable. The inflatable paddleboards (iSUPs) are cheaper and more durable. The solid ones are superior in performance.

Paddle: add 4 – 7 inches to your height to get the paddleboard length that is right for you. The material will depend on your budget. An aluminum paddle would be okay for a beginner.

Leash: newbies and pros alike need to have a leash at all times when paddling. It keeps your SUP from floating away when you fall off.

PFD: a personal floatation device is required in most states when standup paddleboarding. You don’t have to wear a jacket. Manufacturers now make waist PFDs let you paddle freely.

Standup paddleboarding may be relatively new but it is already a popular sport. It is exciting—but that is not the only reason. People have discovered how beneficial it is to their health. And scientific studies have confirmed these benefits. To join the SUP community, you only need a board, paddle, leash, and a PFD. Ask a friend to teach you or get beginner lessons from YouTube. It is as simple as that!

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